Better late than never... last-gasp goals saved the day for a trio of Teesside teams in the Northern League top flight.

Better late than never... last-gasp goals saved the day for a trio of Teesside teams in the Northern League top flight.

Marske forced an own goal with just seven minutes left in their 1-1 draw at West Auckland.

Billingham Synthonia finally broke through against lowly Peterlee with just four minutes remaining on the clock in their 1-0 home win.

And Guisborough levelled two minutes from time in their 2-2 home draw with Brandon.

But it is probably all too late for Thornaby now. The strugglers lost 3-1 to relegation rivals Jarrow Roofing in what could be a decisive defeat in their series of six pointers.

Marske - who were due to take on arch-rivals Guisborough in massive East Cleveland derby clash today - kept the pressure on the leaders with their draw at fellow high-flyers West.

West hit the bar in the opening few minutes then Seasiders shot-stopper John Jackson saved a good effort from Roy Allen in a torrid opening.

And West went ahead on the half-hour as Milroy drilled home from an Allen cross.

But Marske battled back and went close just before the break through Darren Sankey and in the second half kept they kept up the pressure.

And it finally told on 83 minutes when Greg Booth broke down the flank and whipped in a cross that deflected off defender Johnston and flashed inside the post.

Guisborough meanwhile went into today's clash looking to end a run of six derby defeats on the back of a battling display against lively Brandon.

The Priorymen went ahead on 20 minutes as ex-Boro reserve Thomas Jones cracked home a left foot volley from the edge of the box.

Brandon struck back with two goals before the break. First Patterson broke free to slot home a leveller on 27 minutes then Marsden got free in the box to put them ahead on 42 minutes.

But Guisborough beavered away in the second half and got a deserved equaliser three minutes from time as Kevin Newall found time and space in the box to volley home.

And they almost snatched victory in stoppage time as sub Chris Pearson raced clear but Brandon's Cole saved well.

Billingham Synthonia went into their derby trip to neighbours Town today looking for a third successive win.

Synners have stopped the rot and climbed back into the top half with wins over Ashington, Washington and now Peterlee - and after almost a year of leaking goals have now kept two clean sheets out of three.

Synners had some good early chances with headers from Tommy Marron and Glen Corkain but the early flurry eased and they were forced to defend for long spells of an even game.

But they kept plugging away and got their reward four minutes from time as David Wells crossed in for Lee Flanagan to side-foot home from close range.

Billingham Town will be looking to bounce back from their 1-0 Durham Cup defeat to Bishop Auckland at New Ferens Park on Good Friday.

The put up a brave show against the Unibond League big boys but went down to a late Andy Shaw goal.

Relegation haunted Thornaby are fast running out of time after they collapsed 3-1 at home to fellow strugglers Jarrow Roofing.

The second-bottom side have taken just one point from the last seven games - and crucially have now lost against three teams in the bottom seven in that spell.

They have three more of their relegation rivals to play so they can still escape - but only if they improve dramatically.

Things started badly as Paul Chow was allowed to wander free to drill home on three minutes.

Then Micky Driscoll and Paul Leach both limped off injured and things got worse on 25 minutes as Thornaby won a penalty for a foul on Darren Roulston but Phil Ross blasted it wide.

Then Chow was left free at the far post to head in his second from a corner on 35 minutes and five minutes later it was three as Chow crossed for Craig Nelson to drill home unchallenged.

Thornaby pulled one back in first half stoppage time as Micky Arnold was pushed in the box and debutant Charlie Eeles slammed it home.

In the second half Thornaby had more of the play but rarely threatened, while Roofing twice broke out again and only saves from Nick Bates kept them at bay.

Norton went down 3-2 at home to Hebburn in division two. The Ancients were two down at the break but fought back with a Paul Farley strike and a Jon Gallagher penalty and looked set for a point until Ord struck with five minutes left.

Northallerton Town won 1-0 at Alnwick with a 30-yard Matt Swales second half strike that went in off the post.